Information reproducing apparatus, method for controlling information reproducing apparatus, content recording medium, control program, computer-readable recording medium storing control program

ABSTRACT

The AV data reproducing apparatus includes: (i) a reading section for reading out, from a recording medium, additional function information indicating an additional function correlated with a manipulation input; and (ii) an additional function program executing section for executing the additional function in response to the manipulation input. With this, an operation unique to the content can be carried out by executing the additional function (additional function program) indicated by the additional function information stored in the recording medium together with the AV data. This makes it possible for the AV data reproducing apparatus to carry out an operation other than an operation intrinsically corresponding to a key.

This Nonprovisional application is a Divisional application of priorcopending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/560,542, filed on Dec. 13,2005, entitled INFORMATION REPRODUCING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLINGINFORMATION REPRODUCING APPARATUS, CONTENT RECORDING MEDIUM, CONTROLPROGRAM, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM byKatsushi Ohizumi, Hideaki Kizuki, and Jiro Kiyama (the same inventors asthe inventors of this divisional application).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to (i) an information reproducingapparatus for reproducing image data and/or audio data each stored in arecording medium, (ii) a method for controlling the informationreproducing apparatus, (iii) a content recording medium, (iv) a controlprogram, and (v) a computer-readable recording medium storing thecontrol program.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a player capable of reproducing AV (audio-visual) datawith ease has been pervasive. A specific example of such a player is aDVD player. A user inserts a disk in such a player, and can use acontroller to send an instruction such as “play (reproduce)”, “pause(suspend)”, “fast-forward”, or the like.

On the other hand, when preparing the AV data serving as a content, apreparer of the content can control (regulate) reproduction of thecontent. For example, the preparer can make such regulation that theuser cannot carry out pausing manipulation (operation) orfast-forwarding manipulation while a specific scene is displayed. Whenthe user sends such a prohibited instruction, the DVD player normallymakes a warning sound or displays a warning indicating that themanipulation is prohibited.

Patent documents 1 and 2 below are documents each describing a priortechnique to which the present invention pertains.

Described in Patent document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationTokukaihei 11-238367/1999 (published on Aug. 31, 1999)) is a usable keydisplay system for notifying the user of which keys are manipulable atthe moment among various manipulation keys. Specifically, the usable keydisplay system uses an optical disk storing (i) reproduction controlinformation PCI for controlling reproduction of stored data, and (ii)video object unit user operation control information VOBU_UOP_CTLcontained in the PCI. Utilized for the notification are: (i) a step ofextracting, from VOBU_UOP_CTL, a user manipulation bit group UOP fordetermining whether or not the manipulation is approved (authorized;permitted); and (ii) a step of notifying, when the user manipulation bitgroup UOP contains information of prohibiting the manipulation(UOP=“1”), the user of keys whose manipulation is not prohibited by theuser manipulation bit group UOP.

Meanwhile, described in Patent document 2 (Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication Tokukai 2002-290896 (published on Oct. 4, 2002)) is arecording medium reproducing apparatus allowing effective use of pausingtime (suspended time). The following specifically explains this. Thatis, a DVD stores commercial image video data (CM video data) in, e.g.,an angle region of a part of a multi-angle region. In response to pressdown of a pause button during reproduction of the DVD (reproduction of amain content of the content); the recording medium reproducing apparatussuspends the reproduction of the main content of the content, and causesa memory to store information indicative of the suspension position. Incases where the suspension position is in the multi-angle region, the CMvideo data starts to be reproduced from the suspension position.Meanwhile, in cases where the suspension position is not in themulti-angle region, the recording medium reproducing apparatus starts toreproduce CM video data positioned closest to the suspension position.The CM video data is reproduced from its beginning. Further, thereproduction of the video data of the main content is resumed from thesuspension position indicated by the information stored in the memory,in response to press down of the pause button while the CM video data isreproduced, i.e., in response to an instruction of canceling thesuspension.

However, when receiving the prohibited instruction from the user, theconventional structure merely makes the normal warning sound or displaysthe warning indicating that the manipulation is prohibited. This makesthe user feel unpleasant. In other words, the indication using thewarning sound and the warning display disturbs the viewing.

To solve the problem, the usable key display system described in Patentdocument 1 displays, on a screen or the like, a list of keys manipulableduring reproduction of a content restricting the key input manipulation.The display on the screen is carried out prior to the reproduction ofthe content. After the reproduction starts, the list of the manipulablekeys are sent to the remote controller. In accordance with the list thussent, the remote controller causes the manipulable keys to light up.With this, the light-up of the manipulable keys of the remote controllerallows the user to recognize which keys are manipulable in the currentlyreproduced content.

Reasons for prohibiting the manipulation are different among thecontents; however, such indication described in Patent document 1 neverclarifies the reasons even when used together with the warning soundand/or the warding display. Moreover, such indication is monotonous andinsipid. Therefore, this is not effective to restrain the unpleasantfeeling of the user.

Further, even in cases where the manipulation is approved, displayindicative of the approved manipulation remains unvaried among thecontents. This is insipid. Moreover, there is no freedom in changingfunctions and properties.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide (i) an informationreproducing apparatus which can flexibly carry out control unique to acontent in response to a manipulation input; (ii) a control methodthereof; (iii) a content recording medium; (iv) a control program forrealizing the information reproducing apparatus; and (v) acomputer-readable recording medium storing the control program.

To achieve the object, an information reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention for controlling, in accordance with a manipulationinput, reproduction of content data read out from a content recordingmedium, the information reproducing apparatus includes: (i) a readingsection (additional function information reading means) for reading out,from the content recording medium, additional function informationindicating an additional function correlated with the manipulationinput; and (ii) an additional function executing section (additionalfunction executing means) for executing the additional function inresponse to the manipulation input.

A method of the present invention for controlling, in accordance with amanipulation input, reproduction of content data read out from a contentrecording medium, the method includes the steps of: (a) reading out,from the content recording medium, additional function informationindicating an additional function correlated with the manipulationinput; and (b) executing the additional function in response to themanipulation input.

This makes it possible to execute a function different from the functionintrinsically corresponding to the manipulation input. Further, theadditional function information for specifying the additional functioncan be supplied together with the content data. This exhibits such aneffect that the control unique to the content can be flexibly carriedout in response to the manipulation input. Further, the content data andthe additional function information can be supplied from the samecontent recording medium, so that data handling and medium handling areeasy.

The additional function may be a function for executing an additionalfunction program by which an arbitrary process can be carried out.Alternatively, the additional function may be a function for indicatingimage information, text information, audio information, or the like. Theinformation to be indicated by way of such an additional function can beoverlaid with the content data. In cases where the information to beindicated by way of the additional function is information concerningthe content, the information concerning the content is indicated inresponse to the manipulation. This allows realization of, e.g., (i) afunction for notifying, with the use of a voice of a protagonist of thecontent, the user that the manipulation done by the user is prohibited,and (ii) a function for carrying out blinking-display of an image whichindicates the fast-forwarding, and which concerns the content. Thenotification is carried out in response to the manipulation input, andthe blinking-display is carried out during the fast-forwarding.

Note that the information reproducing apparatus may be realized by acomputer. In this case, the computer is caused to operate as each of theaforementioned means. For this reason, the present invention encompasses(i) a control program for realizing the functions of the informationreproducing apparatus in the computer, and (ii) a computer-readablerecording medium storing the control program.

As described above, the present invention makes it possible that theinformation reproducing apparatus for reproducing a medium storing acontent such as a movie realizes, e.g., display of icon data stored inthe medium. The display of the icon data is carried out in response tothe manipulation done by the user while reproducing the content. For therealization of this, the manipulation and the type of icon data to bedisplayed are so managed as to be correlated with each other.

Meanwhile, Patent document 1 discloses the technique for causing thereproducing apparatus to display the valid manipulation in response tothe manipulation carried out during the reproduction of the content. Thepresent invention is different from Patent document 1 in that thedisplay in Patent document 1 depends merely on the reproducingapparatus.

Further, Patent document 2 discloses the technique for reproducing theCM (commercial; advertisement) by switching the angles in response tothe pausing manipulation. The present invention is different from Patentdocument 2 in that: in Patent document 2, no process is carried out inresponse to the fast-forwarding manipulation and/or the reproductionmanipulation.

Additional objects, features, and strengths of the present inventionwill be made clear by the description below. Further, the advantages ofthe present invention will be evident from the following explanation inreference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a function block diagram schematically illustrating respectivestructures of an AV data reproducing apparatus and a recording mediumeach according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example ofcorrelation information stored in the recording medium shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating procedure of an initializing processof the AV data reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating procedure of a process carried outwhile the AV data reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 reproduces AVdata.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of screendisplay carried out by the AV data reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of thescreen display carried out by the AV data reproducing apparatus shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating still another example ofthe screen display carried out by the AV data reproducing apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating yet another example of thescreen display carried out by the AV data reproducing apparatus shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating still another example ofthe screen display carried out by the AV data reproducing apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a function block diagram schematically illustratingrespective structures of an AV data reproducing apparatus and arecording medium each according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example ofcorrelation information stored in the recording medium shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart, illustrating procedure of a process carried outwhile the AV data reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 10 reproduces AVdata.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of screendisplay carried out by the AV data reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.10.

FIG. 14 is a function block diagram schematically illustratingrespective structures of an AV data reproducing apparatus and arecording medium each according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example ofcorrelation information stored in the recording medium shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating procedure of a process carried outwhile the AV data reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 14 reproduces AVdata.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of screendisplay and audio output each carried out by the AV data reproducingapparatus shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a function block diagram schematically illustrating astructure of a DVD player according to one example of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of datastored in a DVD-ROM to be reproduced by the DVD player shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure ofVTSTT_VOBS shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure ofNV_PCK shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating respective datastructures of a private data region and PCI, each of which is shown inFIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one example of a keycorrelation table stored in the private data region shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating procedure of an initializing processof the DVD player shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating procedure of a process carried outwhile the DVD player shown in FIG. 18 reproduces AV data.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating procedure of a process carried outwhile the DVD player shown in FIG. 18 reproduces AV data.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with referenceto FIG. 1 through FIG. 9. Note that the present embodiment mainlyexplains a case where the present invention is applied to a DVD player;however, the present invention is not limited to the DVD player.

FIG. 1 is a function block diagram schematically illustrating astructure of an AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducingapparatus) 10 according to the present embodiment.

The AV data reproducing apparatus 10 carries out and controlsreproduction of AV data (content data) 21 read out from a recordingmedium (content recording medium) 20. The control is carried out inaccordance with a manipulation input. Therefore, the AV data reproducingapparatus 10 includes: a key input section 11, a memory 12, a controlsection 13, a reading section 14, an additional function programexecuting section 15, an AV data reproducing section 16, and an outputsection 17, as shown in FIG. 1.

The key input section 11 acquires the manipulation input sent to the AVdata reproducing apparatus 10. Here, the wording “key” refers to abutton provided in a manipulation panel or a remote controller. Examplesof the button include: a “play button”, a “stop button”, a “pausebutton”, a “fast-forward button”, a “backward button”, and the like.Further, the wording “manipulation input” refers to an input which isdone as the result of the user's manipulation (operation) such as pressdown of the button, and which causes the AV data reproducing apparatus10 to carry out the control. A specific example of the input is an inputof instructing (i) start of the reproduction of the AV data, (ii)suspending thereof, or (iii) fast-forwarding thereof. Note that, the AVdata reproducing apparatus 10 may be provided with (i) theaforementioned standard keys, and (ii) a special key such as “areproduction direction change key”, “a reproduction speed change key”,or the like. By pressing such a special key, the user can send aninstruction corresponding to the function assigned to the special key.

The memory 12 temporarily stores information to be processed by thecontrol section 13. A specific example of the information is correlationinformation 22 described later.

The control section 13 receives the manipulation input from the keyinput section 11, and sends control information to the memory 12, thereading section 14, the additional function program executing section15, and the AV data reproducing section 16. Further, the control section13 includes a main function control section (main function controlmeans) 31 for carrying out control of the operation to be carried out inresponse to the manipulation input. The control is carried out inaccordance with key control information (main function controlinformation) 22 b described later. Note that the control section 13 cancause the memory 12 to store, at an arbitrary timing, information storedin the recording medium 20.

When the reading section (additional function information reading means;additional function program reading means; main function controlinformation reading means) 14 receives, from the control section 13, aninstruction of reading out the information from the recording medium 20,the reading section 14 reads out the information therefrom in accordancewith the instruction (readout instruction). Specifically, the readingsection 14 reads out the AV data 21, the correlation information 22, andadditional function programs 23, from the recording medium 20. Note thatthe number of media that can be controlled by the reading section 14 isnot limited to one. Note also that the type of medium that can becontrolled by the reading section 14 is not limited to one type.

The AV data reproducing section 16 receives, from the control section13, an instruction of reproducing the AV data stored in the recordingmedium 20. Upon the reception, the AV data reproducing section 13converts (i) the AV data 21 read out by the reading section 14 from therecording medium 20, into (ii) data compliant with an AV output format.Then, the AV data reproducing section 16 sends the data to the outputsection 17.

The additional function program executing section (additional functionexecuting means) 15 executes each of the additional function programs 23so as to execute the additional function corresponding to themanipulation input. Specifically, the additional function programexecuting section 15 receives, from the control section 13, aninstruction of executing the additional function program, and sends theinstruction to the AV data reproducing section 16. Moreover, theadditional function program executing section 15 sends, to the outputsection 17, an AV output obtained by executing the additional functionprogram. Especially, the additional function program executing section15 indicates (by way of image display and/or audio output) informationsuch as a message so that the information is overlaid with the AV data21 currently reproduced.

The output section 17 supplies (i) the AV outputs sent respectively fromthe AV data reproducing section 16 and the additional function programexecuting section 15, to (ii) an AV output apparatus (not shown)connected to the AV data reproducing apparatus 10. The output section 17is a component output apparatus connected to, e.g., a television or thelike. Alternatively, the output section 17 may be an output apparatussuch as a television.

Next, the recording medium 20 is an external recording medium such asDVD-ROM. The AV data 21, the correlation information 22, and theadditional function program 23 are stored in the recording medium 20such that they can be supplied, to the AV data reproducing apparatus 10.Note that the number of the recording medium 20 is not limited to one,and the information may be continuously stored in a plurality of media.

The AV data 21 is AV data of a content stored in the recording medium20. A specific example of the content is a movie.

Set in the correlation information 22 is at least correlation betweeneach of the keys and the additional function program 23. The correlationinformation 22 is loaded in the memory 12 as required. In reference tothe correlation information 22, the control section 13 invokes (callsup) an additional function program 23 corresponding to key manipulation.

Each of the additional function programs 23 is invoked by the controlsection 13 as such, and is executed by the additional function programexecuting section 15.

Explained here is the correlation information 22, with reference to FIG.2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example ofthe correlation information 22. In FIG. 2, the key setting of the keycontrol information 22 b coincides with the key setting of theadditional function information 22 c; however, the key setting of thekey control information 22 b may be different form the key setting ofthe additional function information 22 c. Alternatively, the key settingmay be done in either the key control information 22 b or the additionalfunction information, 22 c.

See FIG. 2. In the correlation information 22, each of the key controlinformation 22 b and the additional function information 22 c is so setas to be correlated with scene specifying information 22 a.

Set in the scene specifying information 22 a are: (i) the start positionof each scene of the content, and (ii) the end position thereof. Thescene specifying information 22 a may be an index other than thereproduction time; as long as the scene specifying information 22 aspecifies the scene of the AV data 21. A specific example of the indexis the number of bytes, which number is counted from a head.Alternatively, items of the correlation information are prepared suchthat: the items respectively correspond to the scenes of the AV data 21,and are respectively multiplexed with the scenes. With this, each of thescenes can be specified. In this case, the correlation information 22does not include the scene specifying information 22 a, i.e., merelyincludes the key control information 22 b and the additional functioninformation 22 c. A specific case where the correlation information 22does not include the scene specifying information 22 a is a case wherethe AV data 21 is in compliance with a data format such as the DVDformat. This will be explained later.

The key control information (main function control information) 22 bindicates whether or not execution of each main function is approved.The main function is an intrinsic function corresponding to amanipulation input. In other words, the key control information 22 b isinformation for controlling the function assigned to the key manipulatedby the user. For example, when the key control information 22 bindicates that the pausing is disapproved, the main function controlsection 31 disables the input of the pause key. The target of thissetting is not limited to one key, and a plurality of key controlinformation items can be set simultaneously. For, example, flagsindicative of whether functions are enabled or disabled may be set toall the keys, respectively. Note that, in cases where the function ofprohibiting the processing is not required, the correlation information22 does not include the key control information 22 b.

Set in the additional function information 22 c is correlation between(i) the key corresponding to the manipulation input, and (ii) theadditional function program 23.

So, see an example in which the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 readsout the correlation information 22 shown in FIG. 2, and in which the keyinput section 11 detects that the pause key is manipulated duringreproduction of the scene corresponding to a period of time from 0second to 49 seconds. In response to the detection, the main functioncontrol section 31 disables and cancels the key manipulation, and thereading section 14 reads out a specified additional function program 23,i.e., a “program of displaying message m1”, from the recording medium20, and the additional function program executing section 15 executesthe specified additional function program 23 thus read out. In the aboveexample, the key targeted for the setting is a key whose manipulation is“disapproved”; however, the present invention is not limited to this,and the target key may be a key whose manipulation is “approved”.Further, as is the case with the key control information 22 b, the keytargeted for the setting is not limited to one key, and a plurality ofkey control information items can be set simultaneously. Further, thekey specified by the additional function information 22 c does not needto correspond to the key specified by the key control information 22 b.Further, the additional function program 23 corresponding to the keymanipulation may be loaded in advance in the memory 12.

Note that the correlation information 22 and the recording formatthereof can be arbitrarily changed according to the data format of acontent to be recorded. For example, the AV data 21 recorded incompliance with the DVD standard data structure is sectioned based onunit time, so that the key control information 22 b is set based on theunit time and the additional function information 22 c can be recordedbased on the unit time. In other words, in cases where the recordingmedium 20 is a DVD-ROM, the AV data 21 and the correlation information22 are so structured as to correspond to each other. This makes itpossible that the correlation information 22 does not include the scenespecifying information 22 a.

Explained next is an initializing process carried out before the AV datareproducing apparatus 10 reproduces the AV data 21, with reference toFIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the initializing process inthe AV data reproducing apparatus 10.

Firstly, when the reproduction of the AV data is triggered by, e.g.,inserting the recording medium 20, the control section 13 accesses therecording medium 20 via the reading section 14 (S11).

Next, the control section 13 checks whether or not the correlationinformation 22 is stored in the recording medium 20 (S12). In caseswhere the correlation information 22 is stored therein (YES in S12), thecontrol section 13 causes the memory 12 to store the correlationinformation 22 read out from the recording medium 20 by the readingsection 14 (S13 (additional function information reading step)), andthen the initializing process is terminated. On the other hand, in caseswhere no correlation information 22 is stored in the recording medium 20(NO in S12), the initializing process is terminated.

The following explains control carried out while the AV data reproducingapparatus 10 reproduces the AV data 21; with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating the control carried out while the AV datareproducing apparatus 10 reproduces the AV data.

Firstly, the control section 13 carries out the aforementionedinitializing process (S11 through S13) when starting the reproduction(S10).

Next, the control section 13 checks the key input section 11, i.e.,checks whether or not the user has manipulated any key (S21). In caseswhere no key manipulation was carried out (NO in S21), the sequence goesback to the step S21.

On the other hand, in cases where the key manipulation input was carriedout (YES in S21), the control section 13 judges whether or not the keymanipulated by the user corresponds to the key (specified key) specifiedby the additional function information 22 c of the correlationinformation 22 temporarily stored in the memory 12 (S22). In cases wherethe key manipulated by the user is so judged as to correspond to thespecified key (YES in S22), the control section 13 reads out, from therecording medium 20 via the reading section 14, the additional functionprogram 23 corresponding to the key manipulation input done in S21. Theadditional function program 23 thus read but is sent to the additionalfunction program executing section 15. The additional function programexecuting section 15 starts to execute the received additional functionprogram 23, in accordance with the control information sent from thecontrol section 13 (S23 (additional function executing step)). Note thatthe additional function program 23 may be read in advance.

Next, the main function control section 31 of the control section 13judges whether or not the key manipulated by the user is a key whosefunction is changed according to the key control information 22 b of thecorrelation information 22 stored temporarily in the memory 12, i.e.,judges whether or not the intrinsic operation corresponding to the keyis, approved (S24). In cases where the function of the key is so judgedas to be unchanged (NO in S24), the main function control section 31carries out the intrinsic operation corresponding to the key (S25 a). Onthe other hand, in cases where the function of the key is so judged asto be changed (YES in S24), the main function control section 31 carriesout the operation specified by the key control information 22 b (S25 b).After each of the steps S25 a and S25 b, the control section 13 waitsfor a next key input, i.e., the sequence goes back to S21.

For example, while the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 having read outthe correlation information 22 shown in FIG. 2 reproduces the scenecorresponding to the period of time from 0 second to 49 seconds, themain function control section 31 executes the intrinsic functionsassigned to keys other than the pause key, in response to manipulationof the keys. On the other hand, the following operations (1) and (2) arecarried out in cases where the pause key is manipulated during thereproduction of the scene: (1) the additional function program executingsection 15 executes the additional function program 23 (for displayingthe message m1) with which the additional function information 22 ccorrelates the pause key (S23); and (2) the main function controlsection 31 carries out no operation because the manipulation of the keyis “disapproved” by the key control information 22 b (S25 b).

Note that the order of executing (i) the process (S22 and S23)concerning the main function, and (ii) the process (S24 and S25)concerning the additional function may be reverse to the order describedin the above example. Note also that the correlation information 22 isnot necessarily required to be temporarily stored in the memory 12, andmay be read out from the recording medium 20 as required.

The following explains specific examples of the additional functionprograms 23 with reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 9. Each of FIG. 5through FIG. 9 describes an example of an image displayed on a screen ofthe output section 17 when each of the additional function programs 23is executed by the AV data reproducing apparatus 10. Note that keymanipulation described in each of the specific examples below is just anexplanatory example, so that the present invention is applicable to anykey that can be manipulated by the user for the purpose of sending aninstruction to the key input section 11 of the AV data reproducingapparatus 10. Further, ways of indicating warning or the like to theuser are not limited to the specific example, as long as the indicationis realized in the output section 17 by way of the additional functionprogram 23 that can be executed by the additional function programexecuting section 15.

(1) An additional function program for notifying, in response to amanipulation input prohibited in a scene, that the manipulation input isprohibited.

See FIG. 5, for example. In a scene prohibiting the manipulation(pausing manipulation) of suspending the reproduction, the additionalfunction program 23 correlated with the pause key causes display of amoving image on the screen such that the moving image is superimposed ona part of the display of the AV data 21. The moving image is an image ofa protagonist of a movie contained in the AV data 21, and notifies theuser that the manipulation is prohibited. It is preferable that thenormal warning sound and the normal warning display be restrained. Assuch, the indication does not merely use the warning sound or thewarning display. This allows the user to feel less unpleasant even whensuch warning is made in response to the key manipulation prohibited inthe scene.

(2) An additional function program for reproducing animation insynchronism with fast-forwarding of the AV data, in response to amanipulation input of the fast forwarding

See FIG. 6, for example. The additional function program 23 correlatedwith the fast-forward key causes display of an animation on the screensuch that the animation is superimposed on a part of the display of theAV data 21. The animation is such an animation that a character of themovie contained in the AV data 21 runs. Further, the running speed ofthe character may be changed according to speed of the fast forwarding.With this, the user can enjoy visually even when the user manipulatesthe AV data reproducing apparatus 10 so as to control the reproductionof the AV data 21.

(3) An additional function program for using a character of the contentso as to indicate a reproduction position in synchronism with thefast-forwarding operation of the AV data, which fast-forwardingoperation is carried out in response to an manipulation input for thefast-forwarding operation

See FIG. 7, for example. The additional function program 23 correlatedwith the fast-forward key causes display of an image of a currentreproduction position of the AV data. Specifically, displayed is such ananimation that a character of the movie contained in the AV data 21 runson, e.g., a straight line scale corresponding to entire recording timeof the AV data 21. In this case, the manipulation of the fast-forwardkey is approved during the reproduction of the AV data 21 by thecorrelation information 22.

Accordingly, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 makes it possible tonotify the reproduction position with the use of the character of thecontent while carrying out the fast-forwarding of the AV data 21. Withthis, the user can enjoy visually even when the user manipulates the AVdata reproducing apparatus 10 so as to control the reproduction of theAV data 21.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10displays a position mark 51 for, e.g., every scene of the content orevery chapter thereof. The user can select the position mark 51 so as tostart reproduction from the scene or chapter each corresponding to theposition mark 51. Note that a position of displaying the position mark51 can be acquired in accordance with management information containedin either the scene specifying information 22 a or the AV data 21.

(4) An additional function program for displaying HELP indication inresponse to a manipulation input prohibited in a scene

See FIG. 8, for example. The additional function program 23 correlatedwith each key whose manipulation is set to be prohibited causes displayof a still image on the screen such that the still image is superimposedon a part of the display of the AV data 21. The still image is an imageof an animation character of the AV data 21, and notifies the user ofwhich keys are manipulable. This makes it possible for the user torecognize the manipulable keys with ease. Further, such easilyunderstandable notification allows even a child or the like to recognizewhich keys are manipulable.

(5) An additional function program for reproducing CM images at randomin response to the pausing manipulation input

See FIG. 9, for example. The additional function program 23 correlatedwith the pause key causes random reproduction of the CM images. Thiscauses the user to have more opportunities of viewing different CM data.Note that, when the pause key is pressed again during the reproductionof the CM image, the additional function program 23 may cause the normalpausing processing to be carried out, i.e., may cause display of thestill image of the currently reproduced image.

Here, see a case where a plurality of users view one AV data togetherwith the use of a general AV data reproducing apparatus such as a DVDplayer. When a part of the users leave temporarily, the other userssuspend the reproduction of the AV data, and wait for them to come back.On this occasion, as described in Patent document 2, the AV datareproducing apparatus possibly reproduces the CM data which is stored ina multi-angle track of the DVD, and which is positioned in the vicinityof the reproduction, position of the content whose reproduction iscurrently suspended. However, the CM data to be reproduced depends onthe reproduction position of the currently reproduced content, so thatCM data to be reproduced cannot be selected. Therefore, in cases wherethe suspending is carried out several times in positions close to eachother, only the same CM data is reproduced.

As described above, the key control information 22 b correlates theadditional function program 23 with the manipulation input of the keywhose intrinsic function (main function) is disapproved to be executed.With this, the additional function program 23 can have the function ofnotifying the information concerning the disapproval of the execution ofthe function corresponding to the manipulation input. Examples of such afunction include: (i) the function of notifying the informationrepresenting that the manipulation input is prohibited, and (ii) thefunction of notifying the information representing which manipulationinputs are approved.

Further, the function of indicating the information different from thecurrently reproduced AV data 21 can be given to the additional functionprogram 23 thus correlated with the manipulation input, in the followingcase (1) or (2): (1) a case where the manipulation input corresponds toeither (i) the manipulation of suspending the reproduction of the AVdata 21, or (ii) manipulation of halting the reproduction thereof; or(2) a case where the manipulation input corresponds to the manipulationof changing either (i) the reproduction direction of the AV data 21, or(ii) the reproduction speed thereof.

Note that the present embodiment assumes the case where the additionalfunction program 23 is stored in the recording medium 20; however, theadditional function program 23 may be stored in the AV data reproducingapparatus 10. Alternatively, the additional function program may bestored in a recording medium other than the recording medium 20, and besupplied to the AV data reproducing apparatus 10. The additionalfunction program thus supplied is executed when the AV data 21 of therecording medium 20 is reproduced.

Here, the main function and the additional function are explained morein details. As described above, the use of the additional functionprogram 23 makes it possible for the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 toexecute the intrinsic function (main function) and the other function inresponse to the key input. Further, in accordance with the key controlinformation 22 b, the main function can be disabled, i.e., the mainfunction is not executed but only the additional function is executed.Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 can be arranged such that:the intrinsic functions are not respectively assigned to the keys, butall the functions are realized in accordance with the additionalfunction program 23. Note that the intrinsic functions of the AV dataapparatus 10 can be replaced with functions specified by the key controlinformation 22 b. The wording “intrinsic function” refers to such afunction that is executable irrespective of the additional functionprogram 23.

Further, each of the functions realized in the AV data reproducingapparatus 10 by the additional function program 23 may be either (i) afunction relevant to each of the intrinsic functions respectivelyassigned to the keys, or (ii) a function irrelevant thereto.

Further, the additional function program 23 can be read out from therecording medium 20. Alternatively, the additional function program 23may be stored in advance in the AV data reproducing apparatus 10, or maybe acquired from another recording medium or an external apparatus.Alternatively, a plurality of additional function programs 23 may besupplied from different sources, and the additional programs 23 thussupplied may be executed in combination in accordance with thecorrelation information 22 when reproducing AV data 21 of one recordingmedium 20.

The following explains a case of enhancing the function of thefast-forward key. This is one example of enhancing the intrinsicfunction given to a key. Therefore, the key targeted for such enhancing,and the manipulation targeted therefor are not limited to this example.The enhancing can be applied to any manipulation that can be done byuser for the purpose of giving an instruction to the AV data reproducingapparatus 10.

In response to press down of the fast-forward key during reproduction ofAV data, a general AV data reproducing apparatus carries outfast-forwarding reproduction of the AV data until another press down ofa manipulation key is carried out.

In such a case, the function of the fast-forward key can be enhanced inthe AV data reproducing apparatus 10 so as to cause the user to view ascene that the content preparer really wants the user to view, even whenthe fast-forwarding reproduction is carried out. Specifically, thefast-forward key is correlated with such an additional function program23 that causes the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 to carry out (i)fast-forwarding until a position designated by the content preparercomes, and (ii) normal reproduction from the position. During thereproduction of such a scene of the AV data, the manipulation of thefast-forward key is prohibited. Accordingly, even when thefast-forwarding reproduction of the AV data is carried out in responseto the press down of the fast-forward key during the reproduction of theAV data, the AV data can be caused to be normally reproduced from theposition designated by the content preparer.

The following explains a case where another function executable duringthe reproduction is assigned to the reproduction key. This is oneexample of realizing a function irrelevant to an intrinsic functionassigned to a key. Therefore, the key targeted for such irrelevantfunction assigning, and the manipulation targeted therefor are notlimited to this example. The irrelevant function assigning can beapplied to any manipulation that can be done by user for the purpose ofgiving an instruction to the AV data reproducing apparatus 10.

Generally, there is a content prohibiting specific manipulation based onscenes. For example, the manipulation of the reproduction key isprohibited while a scene of the content is reproduced.

In light of this, during the reproduction of such a scene of thecontent, the reproduction key is correlated with, e.g., an additionalfunction program 23 for renewing a displayed subtitle by specifying asubtitle track. Specifically, the manipulation of the reproduction keyis prohibited during the reproduction of such AV data; however, when thereproduction key is pressed one more time, the displayed subtitle can berenewed.

Alternatively, during the reproduction of such a scene, the reproductionkey is correlated with, e.g., an additional function program 23 foroutputting a subtitle of Japanese Hiragana characters (or differentexpression, or different translation). By pressing such a reproductionkey when viewing the AV data having a subtitle, the subtitle is turnedinto Hiragana characters (or different expression, or differenttranslation). This is good for a user who has too bad eyesight torecognize a subtitle including Japanese Kanji characters (or displayincluding a complex character or a complex letter), and who feels thatcharacters or letters in the subtitle are too complicated to be legible.

As described above, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 is an apparatusfor reproducing AV data contained in a DVD or the like, and has thefunction of executing the previously set additional function program inresponse to the manipulation input sent from either the manipulationpanel or the remote controller. By executing such an additional functionprogram stored together with the AV data in the content recordingmedium, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 can carry out the specificoperation corresponding to the recording medium, i.e., can carry out theoperation corresponding to the content. This makes it possible that thekey manipulation input causes the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 tooperate to execute the function other than the intrinsic function of thekey. In other words, this exhibits the effect other than the effectobtained by carrying out the specific key manipulation.

For example, when the user carries out manipulation in a scene in whichthe manipulation is so designated as to be prohibited, the AV datareproducing apparatus 10 can notify the user that the manipulation isprohibited, by using not only a mere warning sound and warning displaybut also an image of a protagonist of a movie stored, in the recordingmedium. Such notification uses not only the warning sound and thewarning display, so that the user feels less unpleasant even when suchwarning is notified in response to the manipulation prohibited in thescene. In contrast, only the warning sound and the warning display havebeen conventionally used to notify that the user's instruction isprohibited during the reproduction. Such notification using only thewarning sound and the warning display makes the user feel unpleasant.The prohibition of the instruction is designated by the control(regulation) carried out over the reproduction manipulation of thecontent contained in a DVD, etc., which allows for such a control. Thecontrol is carried out upon the content preparation.

Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 makes it possible for theuser to visually enjoy even when the user carries out the AV datamanipulation such as the fast-forwarding reproduction or thefast-backwarding reproduction.

Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 makes it possible for theuser to easily recognize which keys are manipulable, even in caseswhere, e.g., the user is a child.

Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 makes it possible for theuser to have more opportunities of viewing different CM data. Further,while reproducing the CM data, the additional function program isactivated, so that the additional function program can be programmedsuch that: by pressing the pause key one more time, a normal pausingprocess (suspension process) is carried out, i.e., a still image of acurrently reproduced image is displayed.

Note that the present embodiment never limits the scope of the presentinvention, and can be varied within the scope of the present invention.For example, the present embodiment can be arranged as follows.

An AV data reproducing method (method for controlling an informationrecording apparatus) of the present invention includes the steps of: (A)receiving manipulation; and (B) controlling an AV data reproducingfunction intrinsically corresponding to the manipulation. The AV datareproducing method may further includes the steps of: (C) reading out,from a recording medium, correlation information of (i) the manipulationand (ii) an additional function program to be executed in response tothe manipulation; and (D) controlling execution of the additionalfunction program in accordance with the correlation information.

The AV data reproducing method may further include the step of (E)reading out the additional function program from the recording medium.

Further, the AV data reproducing method may be arranged such that: themanipulation for controlling the intrinsic AV data reproducing functionis prohibited by the correlation information, and an additional functionprogram corresponding to the prohibited manipulation is an additionalfunction program for indicating, to the user, information concerning theprohibited manipulation.

Further, the AV data reproducing method may be arranged such that theinformation concerning the prohibited manipulation is informationindicative of a manipulable key.

Further, the AV data reproducing method may be arranged such that: themanipulation is either (i) manipulation of suspending the reproductionof the AV data, or (ii) manipulation of halting the reproductionthereof, and the additional function program is a program for indicatinginformation different from the AV data.

Further, the AV data reproducing method may be arranged such that: themanipulation is manipulation of changing at least either (i) areproduction direction of the AV data, or (ii) reproduction speedthereof, and the additional function program is a program for indicatinginformation different from the AV data.

Further, the AV data reproducing method may be arranged such that theinformation indicated by way of the additional function program isoverlaid with the AV data.

Further, an AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducingapparatus) of the present invention includes: (i) an input section forreceiving manipulation; and (ii) an AV data reproducing section forrealizing an AV data reproducing function intrinsically corresponding tothe manipulation. The AV data reproducing apparatus may includes: (a) areading section for reading out, from a recording medium, correlationinformation of (i) the manipulation and (ii) an additional functionprogram to be executed in response to the manipulation; and (b) anadditional function program executing section for executing theadditional function program in accordance with the correlationinformation.

Further, an AV data recording medium (content recording medium) of thepresent invention is a recording medium for storing the AV data, and maystore the correlation information of (i) the manipulation described inthe aforesaid AV data reproducing method and (ii) the additionalfunction program to be executed in response to the manipulation.

Embodiment 2

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to FIG. 10 through FIG. 13. Note that the structure of thepresent embodiment is basically the same as the structure of Embodiment1, so that each of members corresponding to the members of Embodiment 1is given a reference numeral obtained by giving a numeral “2” in frontof each of the reference numerals of the members of Embodiment 1.Further, the wordings defined in Embodiment 1 are used in the samemanner in the present embodiment, unless otherwise noted.

While reproducing AV data, an AV data reproducing apparatus (informationreproducing apparatus) 210 according to the present embodiment displaysan icon concerning the currently reproduced AV data. The display iscarried out in response to key input manipulation. Here, the wording“icon” refers to either a small picture or a symbol each indicatingcertain information. Note that the present embodiment is applicable toany image information including the icon, a moving image, and a stillimage.

Specifically speaking, the structure of the AV data reproducingapparatus 210 is obtained by replacing (i) the additional functionprogram executing section 15 of the AV data reproducing apparatus 10described in Embodiment 1 and shown in FIG. 1, with (ii) an icon displaysection (additional function executing means; image informationdisplaying means) 215. That is, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10executes the additional function program in response to the key input,while reproducing the AV data. On the other hand, while reproducing theAV data, the AV data reproducing apparatus 210 displays the icon inresponse to the key input.

FIG. 10 is a function block diagram schematically illustrating thestructure of the AV data reproducing apparatus 210. The AV datareproducing apparatus 210 carries out and controls reproduction of AVdata (content data) 221 read out from a recording medium (contentrecording medium) 220. The control is carried out in accordance with themanipulation input. Therefore, the AV data reproducing apparatus 210includes: a key input section 211, a memory 212, a control section 213,a reading section (image information reading means; text informationreading means) 214, an icon displaying section 215, an AV datareproducing section 216, and an output section 217, as shown in FIG. 10.

The key input section 211 acquires the manipulation input sent to the AVdata reproducing apparatus 210. Here, the wording “key” refers to abutton, etc., provided in either a manipulation panel of the AV datareproducing apparatus 210 or a remote controller thereof. Examples ofthe button include: a “play button”, a “stop button”, a “pause button”,a “fast-forward button”, a “backward button”, and the like. Further, thewording “the manipulation input” refers to an input which is done as theresult of the user's manipulation such as press down of the button, andwhich causes the AV data reproducing apparatus 210 to carry out thecontrol. A specific example of the input is an input of instructing (i)start of the reproduction of the AV data, (ii) suspending thereof, and(iii) fast-forwarding thereof. Note that, the AV data reproducingapparatus 210 may be provided with (i) the aforementioned standard keys,and (ii) a special key such as “a reproduction direction change key”, “areproduction speed change key”, or the like. By pressing such a specialkey, the user can send an instruction corresponding to the functionassigned to the special key.

The memory 212 temporarily stores information to be processed by thecontrol section 213. A specific example of the information iscorrelation information 222 described later.

The control section 213 receives the manipulation input from the keyinput section 211, and sends control information to the memory 212, thereading section 214, the icon displaying section 215, and the AV datareproducing section 216. Further, the control section 213 includes amain function control section (main function control means) 231 forcarrying out control of the operation to be carried out in response tothe manipulation. The control is carried out in accordance with keycontrol information 222 b described later. Note that the control section213 can cause the memory 212 to store, at an arbitrary timing,information stored in the recording medium 220.

When the reading section 214 receives, from the control section 213, aninstruction of reading out the information from the recording medium220, the reading section 214 reads out the information therefrom inaccordance with the instruction (readout instruction). Specifically, thereading section 214 reads out the AV data 221, the correlationinformation 222, and icon data (image information) 233, from therecording medium 220. Note that the number of media that can becontrolled by the reading section 214 is not limited to one. Note alsothat the type of medium that can be controlled by the reading section214 is not limited to one type.

The AV data reproducing section 216 receives, from the control section213, an instruction of reproducing the AV data stored in the recordingmedium 220. Upon the reception, the AV data reproducing section 216converts (i) the AV data 221 read out by the reading section 214 fromthe recording medium 220, into (ii) data compliant with an AV outputformat. Then, the AV data reproducing section 216 sends the data to theoutput section 217.

The icon display section 215 receives, from the control section 213, aninstruction of displaying the icon. Upon the reception, the icon displaysection 215 uses the icon data 223 to display the icon. Note that waysof displaying the icon are not particularly limited, and can bearbitrarily selected according to respective specifications of the AVdata reproducing apparatus 210 and the recording medium 220. Forexample, the icon may continue to be displayed while a specific processis carried out. Alternatively, the icon may be so displayed as to blink.Further, the icon may be an animation. Alternatively, the display of theicon may be carried out in such a manner that: the icon is normallydisplayed during a certain period of time just after the manipulation,and is so displayed as to blink, and then is so displayed as to be ananimation. Further, the icon data 223 may include designation of the wayof displaying the icon.

The output section 217 superimposes (overlays) (i) the AV outputsupplied from the icon display section 215, on (ii) the AV outputsupplied from the AV data reproducing section 216. Then, the outputsection 217 supplies the AV outputs to an AV output apparatus (notshown) connected to the AV data reproducing apparatus 210. The outputsection 217 is a component output apparatus connected to, e.g., atelevision or the like. Alternatively, the output section 217 may be anoutput apparatus such as a television.

Next, the recording medium 220 is an external recording medium such asDVD-ROM. The AV data 221, the correlation information 222, and the icondata 223 are stored in the recording medium 220 such that they can besupplied to the AV data reproducing apparatus 210. Note that the numberof the recording medium 220 is not limited to one, and the informationmay be continuously stored in a plurality of media.

The AV data 221 is AV data of a content stored in the recording medium220. A specific example of the content is a movie.

Set in the correlation information 222 is at least correlation betweeneach of the keys and the icon data. The correlation information 222 isloaded in the memory 212 as required. In reference to the correlationinformation 222, the control section 213 invokes (calls up) the icondata 223 corresponding to the key manipulation. Note that the icon data233 may be loaded in advance in the memory 212.

The icon data 223 is invoked by the control section 213 as such, and isreproduced by the icon display section 215.

Explained here is the correlation information 222, with reference toFIG. 11. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specificexample of the correlation information 222. As shown in FIG. 11, in thecorrelation information 222, scene specifying information 222 a forspecifying a scene of the content is so set as to be correlated witheach of the key control information (main function control information)222 b and icon correlation information (additional function information)222 c.

Recorded in the scene specifying information 222 a are: (i) the startposition of each scene of the content, and (ii) the end positionthereof. The scene specifying information 222 a may be an index otherthan the reproduction time, as long as the scene specifying information222 a specifies the scene of the AV data 221. A specific example of theindex is the number of bytes, which number is counted from a head.Alternatively, items of the correlation information 222 are preparedsuch that: the items respectively correspond to the scenes of the AVdata 221, and are respectively multiplexed with the scenes. With this,each of the scenes can be specified. In this case, the correlationinformation 222 does not include the scene specifying information 222 a,i.e., merely includes the key control information 222 b and the iconcorrelation information 222 c.

Recorded in the key control information 222 b is information indicatingwhether or not execution of each main function is approved. The mainfunction is the intrinsic function corresponding to a manipulationinput. In other words, the key control information 222 b is informationfor controlling the function assigned to the key manipulated by theuser. For example, when the key control information 222 b indicates thatthe pausing is not approved, the main function control section 231prohibits pause processing. The target of this setting is not limited toone key, and a plurality of key control information items can be setsimultaneously. For example, flags indicative of whether functions areenabled or disabled may be set to all the keys, respectively. Note that,in cases where the function of prohibiting the processing is notrequired, the correlation information 222 does not include the keycontrol information 222 b.

Recorded in the icon correlation information 222 c is correlationbetween (i) the key corresponding to the manipulation input, and (ii)the icon data 223. So, see an example in which the AV data reproducingapparatus 210 reads out the correlation information 222 shown in FIG.11, and in which the key input section 211 detects that the pause key ismanipulated during reproduction of the scene corresponding to a periodof time from 0 second to seconds. In response to the detection, the mainfunction control section 231 disables and cancels the key manipulation,and the reading section 214 reads out, from the recording medium 220,icon data specified by the icon correlation information 222 c, and theicon displaying section 215 displays the icon data thus read out. In theabove example, the key targeted for the setting is a key whosemanipulation is “disapproved”; however, the present invention is notlimited to this, and the target key may be a key whose manipulation is“approved”. Further, as is the case with the key control information 222b, the key targeted for the setting is not limited to one key, and aplurality of key control information items can be set simultaneously.Further, the key specified by the icon correlation information 222 cdoes not need to correspond to the key specified by the key controlinformation 222 b. Further, the correlation icon data 223 correspondingto the key manipulation may be loaded in advance in the memory 212.

Explained next is an correlation information readout process carried outbefore the AV data reproducing apparatus 210 reproduces the AV data 221.

Firstly, when the reproduction of certain AV data 221 is triggered, thecontrol section 213 accesses the recording medium 220 via the readingsection 214.

Next, the control section 213 checks whether or not the correlationinformation 222 corresponding to the AV data 221 is stored in therecording medium 220. In cases where the correlation information 222 isstored therein, the control section 213 causes the memory 212 to storethe correlation information 222 read out from the recording medium 220by the reading section 214, and then the correlation information readoutprocess is terminated. On the other hand, in cases where no correlationinformation 222 is stored in the recording medium 220, the correlationinformation readout process is terminated.

The following explains control carried out while the AV data reproducingapparatus 210 reproduces the AV data 221, with reference to FIG. 12.FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the control carried out while the AVdata reproducing apparatus 210 reproduces the AV data.

Firstly, the control section 213 carries out the aforementionedcorrelation information readout process when starting the reproduction(S210).

Next, the control section 213 checks the key input section 211, i.e.,checks whether or not the user has manipulated any key (S221). In caseswhere no key manipulation was carried out (NO in S221), the sequencegoes back to the step S221.

On the other hand, in cases where the key manipulation input was carriedout (YES in S221), the control section 213 judges whether or not the keymanipulated by the user corresponds to the key (specified key) specifiedby the icon additional information 222 c of the correlation information222 temporarily stored in the memory 212 (S222). In cases where the keymanipulated by the user is so judged as to correspond to the specifiedkey (YES in S222), the control section 213 reads out, from the recordingmedium 220 via the reading section 214, the icon data 223 correspondingto the key manipulation input done in S221. The icon data 223 thus readout is sent to the icon displaying section 215. The icon displayingsection 215 displays the received icon data, in accordance with thecontrol information sent from the control section 213 (S223). Note thatthe icon data 223 may be read in advance.

Next, the main function control section 231 of the control section 213judges whether or not the key manipulated by the user corresponds to thekey specified by the correlation information 222 temporarily stored inthe memory 212, i.e., judges whether or not the process corresponding tothe manipulated key is approved (S224). In cases where the processcorresponding to the key is not prohibited (NO in S224), the mainfunction control section 231 carries out the process corresponding tothe key (S225). Then, the control section 213 waits for a next keyinput, i.e., the sequence goes back to S221. On the other hand, in caseswhere the process corresponding to the key is so judged as to beprohibited (YES in S224), the main function control section 231 nevercarries out the process corresponding to the key. Then, the controlsection 213 waits for a next key input, i.e., the sequence goes back toS221.

For example, while the AV data reproducing apparatus 210 having read outthe correlation information 222 shown in FIG. 11 reproduces the scenecorresponding to the period of time from 0 second to 49 seconds, themain function control section 231 carries out processes respectivelycorresponding to keys other than the pause key, in response tomanipulation of the keys. On the other hand, the following operations(1) and (2) are carried out in cases where the pause key is manipulatedduring the reproduction of the scene: (1) the icon display section 215displays an icon i1 with which the icon correlation information 222 ccorrelates the pause key (S223); and (2) the main function controlsection 231 carries out no process because the manipulation of the keyis “disapproved” by the key control information 222 b (YES in S224).

The following explains a specific example of the icon data 223 withreference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 describes an example in which the icondata 223 correlated with the pause key is displayed on a screen duringreproduction of a scene prohibiting the pausing manipulation. The iconi1 is such an icon that represents a protagonist of a movie contained inthe AV data 221, and that notifies the user that the manipulation isprohibited. The icon i1 is so displayed on the screen as to besuperimposed on a part of the display of the AV data. It is preferablethat the normal warning display be restrained on this occasion. As such,the indication using the warning display concerning the content is notmere warning display. Such warning display made in response to themanipulation prohibited in the scene secures an atmosphere of thecontent, with the result that the user feels less unpleasant.

The above example explained with reference to FIG. 13 assumes that thedisplay of the icon data is carried out in response to the manipulationinput of the key whose manipulation is prohibited; however, the presentinvention is not limited to this, and the icon data may be displayed inresponse to manipulation of a key whose manipulation is approved. Forexample, an icon indicating the fast-forwarding can be displayed duringthe fast-forwarding process carried out in a scene approving thefast-forwarding manipulation, in response to the fast-forwardingmanipulation. This makes it possible for the user to recognize that thekey manipulation input is surely received by the AV data reproducingapparatus.

Note that the present embodiment assumes the case where the icon data223 is stored in the recording medium 220; however, the icon data 223may be stored in the AV data reproducing apparatus 210. Alternatively,the icon data may be stored in a recording medium other than therecording medium 220, and be supplied to the AV data reproducingapparatus 210. The icon data thus supplied is reproduced when the AVdata 221 of the recording medium 220 is reproduced.

Further, the icon data 223 can be read out from the recording medium220. Alternatively, the icon data 223 may be stored in advance in the AVdata reproducing apparatus 210, or may be acquired from anotherrecording medium or an external apparatus. Alternatively, a plurality oficon data items may be supplied from different sources, and the icondata items thus supplied may be reproduced in combination in accordancewith the icon correlation information 222 c of the correlationinformation 222 when reproducing AV data 221 of one recording medium220.

Further, the present embodiment exemplifies the icon; however, thepresent invention is applicable to any image information including amoving image and a still image. Further, the image information is notlimited to such image information that indicates (i) which process iscarried out, and/or (ii) which manipulation is prohibited. The imageinformation may be, e.g., advertisement information or image informationserving as a screen accessory. Further, instead of the imageinformation, text information (character information; letterinformation) may be displayed. Examples of the information displayedwith the use of the characters include: information about a process,prohibition information, advertisement information, and the like. Inthis case, the reading section (text information reading means) 214reads out, from the recording medium 220, text data stored in the samemanner as the icon data 223 is stored. The text data thus read out isdisplayed by the icon displaying section (additional function executingmeans) 215.

Further, such an “icon display” function of the present embodiment canbe realized by the additional function program explained inEmbodiment 1. The difference between the additional function, programexecuting section 15 (see FIG. 1) of Embodiment 1 and the icondisplaying section 215 (see FIG. 10) of the present embodiment lies inthat: the additional function program executing section 15 interprets(reads) a program language such as Java® or C language so as to executethe additional function program, whereas the icon displaying section 215only decodes the image data compliant with the JPEG format, the GIFformat, or the like. Specifically, the difference lies in that: theadditional function program executing section 15 needs to decode theimage data of the icon after executing an additional function programfor displaying the icon, whereas the icon displaying section 215 doesnot need to execute such an additional function program and merely needsto decode the image data of the icon. Therefore, the present embodimentallows reduction of throughput of a CPU, as compared with Embodiment 1.

Note that the present embodiment never limits the scope of the presentinvention, and can be varied within the scope of the present invention.For example, the present embodiment can be arranged as follows.

An AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducing apparatus) ofthe present invention for controlling, in accordance with a manipulationinput, reproduction of content data read out from a content recordingmedium, the AV data reproducing apparatus may include: (i) imageinformation reading means for reading out image information such as anicon; (ii) image information correlation information reading means forreading out, from the content recording medium, image informationcorrelation information for correlating the manipulation input with theimage information; and (iii) image information displaying means fordisplaying the image information in response to the manipulation input.This makes it possible that display unique to the content is carried outin response to the manipulation input. Further, the content data and theimage information can be supplied from the same content recordingmedium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducingapparatus) may be arranged such that: the additional function is afunction of displaying the image information, and the additionalfunction executing means serves as the image information displayingmeans. Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus (image reproducingapparatus) may be arranged such that: the additional function is afunction of displaying text information, and the additional functionexecuting means serves as text information displaying means.

Embodiment 3

Still another embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 14 through FIG. 17. Note that the structureof the present embodiment is substantially the same as the structure ofEmbodiment 1, so that each of members corresponding to the members ofEmbodiment 1 is given a reference numeral obtained by giving a numeral“3” in front of each of the reference numerals of the members ofEmbodiment 1. Further, the wordings defined in Embodiments 1 and 2 areused in the same manner in the present embodiment, unless otherwisenoted.

An AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducing apparatus) 310according to the present embodiment outputs, in response to a key inputmanipulation, a sound concerning AV data that is being currentlyreproduced. Explanation here assumes that the sound is short audioinformation; however, the present embodiment is not limited to the shortaudio information, and is applicable to any audio information.

Specifically speaking, the structure of the AV data reproducingapparatus 310 is obtained by replacing (i) the additional functionprogram executing section 15 of the AV data reproducing apparatus 10shown in FIG. 1 and described in Embodiment 1, with (ii) a sound datareproducing section (additional function executing means; audioinformation reproducing means) 315. That is, the AV data reproducingapparatus 10 executes the additional function program in response to thekey input, while reproducing the AV data. On the other hand, whilereproducing the AV data, the AV data reproducing apparatus 310 outputsthe sound in response to the key input.

FIG. 14 is a function block diagram schematically illustrating thestructure of the AV data reproducing apparatus 310. The AV datareproducing apparatus 310 carries out and controls reproduction of AVdata (content data) 321 read out from a recording medium (contentrecording medium) 320. The control is carried out in accordance with themanipulation input. Therefore, the AV data reproducing apparatus 310includes: a key input section 311, a memory 312, a control section 313,a reading section (audio information reading means) 314, the sound datareproducing section 315, an AV data reproducing section 316, and anoutput section 317, as shown in FIG. 14.

The key input section 311 acquires the manipulation input sent to the AVdata reproducing apparatus 310. Here, the wording “key” refers to abutton provided in either a manipulation panel of the AV datareproducing apparatus 310 or a remote controller thereof. Examples ofthe button include: a “play button”, a “stop button”, a “pause button”,a “fast-forward button”, a “backward button”, and the like. Further, thewording “the manipulation input” refers to an input which is done as theresult of the user's manipulation such as press down of the button, andwhich causes the AV data reproducing apparatus 210 to carry out thecontrol. A specific example of the input is an input of instructing (i)start of the reproduction of the AV data, (ii) suspending thereof, and(iii) fast-forwarding thereof. Note that, the AV data reproducingapparatus 310 may be provided with (i) the aforementioned standard keys,and (ii) a special key such as “a reproduction direction change key”, “areproduction speed change key”, or the like. By pressing such a specialkey, the user can send an instruction corresponding to the functionassigned to the special key.

The memory 312 temporarily stores information to be processed by thecontrol section 313. A specific example of the information iscorrelation information 322 described later.

The control section 313 receives the manipulation input from the keyinput section 311, and sends control information to the memory 312, thereading section 314, the sound data reproducing section 315, and the AVdata reproducing section 316. Further, the control section 313 includesa main function control section (main function control means) 331 forcarrying out control of the operation corresponding to the manipulationinput. The control is carried out in accordance with key controlinformation 322 b described later. Note that the control section 313 cancause the memory 312 to store, at an arbitrary timing, informationstored in the recording medium 320.

When the reading section 314 receives, from the control section 313, aninstruction of reading out the information from the recording medium320, the reading section 314 reads out the information therefrom inaccordance with the instruction (readout instruction). Specifically, thereading section 314 reads out the AV data 321, the correlationinformation 322, and sound data (audio information) 323, from therecording medium 320. Note that the number of media that can becontrolled by the reading section 314 is not limited to one. Note alsothat the type of medium that can be controlled by the reading section314 is not limited to one type.

The AV data reproducing section 316 receives, from the control section313, an instruction of reproducing the AV data stored in the recordingmedium 320. Upon the reception, the AV data reproducing section 316converts (i) the AV data 321 read out by the reading section 314 fromthe recording medium 320, into (ii) data compliant with an AV outputformat. Then, the AV data reproducing section 316 sends the data to theoutput section 317.

The sound data reproducing section 315 receives, from the controlsection 313, an instruction of reproducing the sound data, and reproducethe sound data. Note that ways of reproducing the sound are notparticularly limited, and can be arbitrarily selected according torespective specifications of the AV data reproducing apparatus 310 andthe recording medium 320. For example, the sound may be reproducedrepeatedly while a specific process is carried out. Alternatively, thesound may be reproduced only once while the specific process is carriedout. Alternatively, the sound may be reproduced the specific number oftimes, while the specific process is carried out.

The output section 317 overlays (i) the AV output supplied from thesound data reproducing section 315, with (ii) the AV output suppliedfrom the AV data reproducing section 316. Then, the output section 317supplies the overlaid AV outputs to an AV output apparatus (not shown)connected to the AV data reproducing apparatus 310. The output section317 is a component output apparatus, connected to, e.g., a television orthe like. Alternatively, the output section 317 may be an outputapparatus such as a television.

Next, the recording medium 320 is an external recording medium such asDVD-ROM. The AV data 321, the correlation information 322, and the sounddata 323 are stored in the recording medium 320 such that they can besupplied to the AV data reproducing apparatus 310. Note that the numberof the recording medium 320 is not limited to one, and the informationmay be continuously stored in a plurality of media.

The AV data 321 is AV data of a content stored in the recording medium320. A specific example of the content is a movie.

Set in the correlation information 322 is at least correlation betweeneach of the keys and the sound data. The correlation information 322 isloaded in the memory 312 as required. In reference to the correlationinformation 322, the control section 313 invokes (calls up) the sounddata 323 corresponding to key manipulation. Note that the sound data 323may be loaded in the memory 312 in advance.

The sound data 323 is invoked by the control section 313 as such, and isreproduced by the sound data reproducing section 315.

Explained here is the correlation information 322, with reference toFIG. 15. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specificexample of the correlation information 322. See FIG. 15. In thecorrelation information 322, each of the key control information 322 b(main function control information) and the sound correlationinformation (additional function information) 322 c is so set as to becorrelated with scene specifying information 322 a.

Recorded in the scene specifying information 322 a are: (i) the startposition of each scene of the content, and (ii) the end positionthereof. The scene specifying information 322 a may be an index otherthan the reproduction time, as long as the scene specifying information322 a specifies the scene of the AV data 321. A specific example of theindex is the number of bytes, which number is counted from a head.Alternatively, items of the correlation information 322 are preparedsuch that: the items respectively correspond to the scenes of the AVdata 321, and are respectively multiplexed with the scenes. With this,each of the scenes can be specified. In this case, the correlationinformation 322 does not include the scene specifying information 322 a,i.e., merely includes the key control information 322 b and the soundcorrelation information 322 c.

Recorded in the key control information 322 b is information indicatingwhether or not execution of each main function is approved. The mainfunction is the intrinsic function corresponding to a manipulationinput. In other words, the key control information 322 b is informationfor controlling the function assigned to the key manipulated by theuser. For example, when the key control information 322 b indicates thatthe pausing is disapproved, the main function control section 331prohibits pause processing. The target of this setting is not limited toone key, and a plurality of key control information items can be setsimultaneously. For example, flags indicative of whether functions areenabled or disabled may be set to all the keys, respectively. Note that,in cases where the function of prohibiting the processing is notrequired, the correlation information 322 does not include the keycontrol information 322 b.

Recorded in the additional function information 322 c is correlationbetween (i) the key corresponding to the manipulation input, and (ii)the sound data 323. So, see an example in which the AV data reproducingapparatus 310 reads out the correlation information 322 shown in FIG.15, and in which the key input section 311 detects that the pause key ismanipulated during reproduction of a scene corresponding to a period oftime from 0 second to 49 seconds. In response to the detection, the mainfunction control section 331 disables and cancels the key manipulation,and the reading section 314 reads out specified sound data 323 from therecording medium 320, and the sound data reproducing section 315reproduces the sound data 323 thus read out. In the above example, thekey targeted for the setting is a key whose manipulation is“disapproved”; however, the present invention is not limited to this,and the target key may be a key whose manipulation is “approved”.Further, as is the case with the key control information 322 b, the keytargeted for the setting is not limited to one key, and a plurality ofkey control information items can be set simultaneously. Further, thekey specified by the sound correlation information 322 c does not needto correspond to the key specified by the key control information 322 b.Further, the sound data 323 corresponding to the key manipulation may beloaded in advance in the memory 312.

Explained next is a correlation information readout process carried outbefore the AV data reproducing apparatus 310 reproduces the AV data 321.

Firstly, when the reproduction of certain AV data 321 is triggered, thecontrol section 313 accesses the recording medium 320 via the readingsection 314.

Next, the control section 313 checks whether or not the correlationinformation 322 corresponding to the AV data 321 is stored in therecording medium 320. In cases where the correlation information 322 isstored therein, the control section 313 causes the memory 312 to storethe correlation information 322 read out from the recording medium 320by the reading section 314, and then the correlation information readoutprocess is terminated. On the other hand, in cases where no correlationinformation 322 is stored in the recording medium 320, the correlationinformation readout process is terminated.

The following explains control carried out while the AV data reproducingapparatus 310 reproduces the AV data 321, with reference to FIG. 16.FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the control carried out while the AVdata reproducing apparatus 310 reproduces the AV data.

Firstly, the control section 313 carries out the aforementionedcorrelation information readout process when starting the reproduction(S310).

Next, the control section 313 checks the key input section 311, i.e.,checks whether or not the user has manipulated any key (S321). In caseswhere no key manipulation was carried out (NO in S321), the sequencegoes back to the step S321.

On the other hand, in cases where the key manipulation input was carriedout (YES in S321), the control section 313 judges whether or not the keymanipulated by the user corresponds to the key (specified key) specifiedby the sound correlation information 322 c of the correlationinformation 322 temporarily stored in the memory 312 (S322). In caseswhere the key manipulated by the user is so judged as to correspond tothe specified key (YES in S322), the control section 313 reads out, fromthe recording medium 320 via the reading section 314, sound data 323corresponding to the key manipulation input done in S321. The sound data323 thus read out is sent to the sound data reproducing section 315. Thesound data reproducing section 315 starts to reproduce the receivedsound data 323, in accordance with the control information sent from thecontrol section 313 (S323). Note that the sound data 323 may be read inadvance.

Next, the main function control section 331 of the control section 313judges whether or not the key manipulated by the user corresponds to thekey specified by the key control information 322 b of the correlationinformation 312 temporarily stored in the memory 312, i.e., judgeswhether or not the process corresponding to the manipulated key isapproved (S324). In cases where the process corresponding to the key isnot prohibited (NO in S324), the main function control section 331carries out the process corresponding to the key (S325). Then, thecontrol section 313 waits for a next key input, i.e., the sequence goesback to S321. On the other hand, in cases where the processcorresponding to the key is so judged as to be prohibited (YES in S324),the main function control section 331 never carries out the processcorresponding to the key. Then, the control section 313 waits for a nextkey input, i.e., the sequence goes back to S321.

For example, while the AV data reproducing apparatus 310 having read outthe correlation information 322 shown in FIG. 15 reproduces the scenecorresponding to the period of time from 0 second to 49 seconds, themain function control section 331 carries out processes respectivelycorresponding to keys other than the pause key, in response tomanipulation of the keys. On the other hand, the following operations(1) and (2) are carried out in cases where the pause key is manipulatedduring the reproduction of the scene: (1) the sound data reproducingsection 315 reproduces a sound a1 with which the sound correlationinformation 322 c correlates the pause key (S323); and (2) the mainfunction control section 331 carries out no process because themanipulation of the key is “disapproved” by the key control information322 b (YES in S324).

The following explains a specific example of the sound data 323 withreference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 describes an example in which the sounddata 323 correlated with the pause key is outputted during reproductionof a scene prohibiting the pausing manipulation. The sound a1 uses avoice of a protagonist of a movie contained in the AV data 321, andnotifies the user that the manipulation is prohibited. The sound data isreproduced together with the sound of the AV data, or is reproduced withthe sound of the AV data muted. It is preferable that the normal warningsound be restrained on this occasion. As such, the indication using thewarning sound concerning the content is not a mere warning sound. Such awarning sound made in response to the manipulation prohibited in thescene secures an atmosphere of the content, with the result that theuser feels less unpleasant.

The above example explained with reference to FIG. 17 assumes that theoutput of the sound data is carried out in response to the manipulationinput of the key whose manipulation is prohibited; however, the presentinvention is not limited to this, and the sound data may be outputted inresponse to manipulation of a key whose manipulation is approved. Forexample, a sound indicating the fast-forwarding can be outputted duringthe fast-forwarding process carried out in a scene approving thefast-forwarding manipulation, in response to the fast-forwardingmanipulation. A specific example of such a sound is a voice saying“Fast-forwarding starts”. This makes it possible for the user torecognize that the key manipulation input is surely received by the AVdata reproducing apparatus.

Further, some AV data reproducing apparatus at present has a function ofoutputting a sound of AV data during fast-forwarding reproduction. Toaccommodate such an apparatus, there may be given (set), to each keymanipulation set in the sound correlation information 322 c, flaginformation indicating whether or not the sound of the AV data is to beoutputted. The use of the flag information makes it possible to selectwhether (i) the sound of the AV data and the sound data are to beoutputted simultaneously, or (ii) only the sound data is to beoutputted.

Note that the present embodiment assumes the case where the sound data323 is stored in the recording medium 320; however, the sound data 323may be stored in the AV data reproducing apparatus 310. Alternatively,the sound data may be stored in a recording medium other than therecording medium 320, and be supplied to the AV data reproducingapparatus 310. The sound data thus supplied is reproduced when the AVdata 321 of the recording medium 320 is reproduced.

Further, the sound data 323 can be read out from the recording medium320. Alternatively, the sound data 323 may be stored in advance in theAV data reproducing apparatus 310, or may be acquired from anotherrecording medium or an external apparatus. Alternatively, a plurality ofsound data items 323 may be supplied from different sources, and thesound data items 323 thus supplied may be reproduced in combination inaccordance with the sound correlation information 322 c of thecorrelation information 322 when reproducing AV data 321 of onerecording medium 320.

Further, the present embodiment exemplifies the short audio information;however, the present invention is applicable to any audio information.Further, the audio information is not limited to such audio informationthat indicates (i) which process is carried out, and/or (ii) whichmanipulation is prohibited. The audio information may be, e.g.,advertisement information or accessory-like information such as a joke.

Further, such a “sound output” function of the present embodiment can berealized by the additional function program, explained in Embodiment 1.The difference between the additional function program executing section15 (see FIG. 1) of Embodiment 1 and the sound data reproducing section315 (see FIG. 14) of the present embodiment lies in that: the additionalfunction program executing section 15 interprets (reads) a programlanguage such as Java® or C language so as to execute the additionalfunction program, whereas the sound data reproducing section 315 onlydecodes the sound data compliant with the WAV format or the like.Specifically, the difference lies in that: the additional functionprogram executing section 15 needs to decode the sound data of the soundafter executing an additional function program for reproducing thesound, whereas the sound reproducing section 315 does not need toexecute such an additional function program and merely needs to decodethe sound data. Therefore, the present embodiment allows reduction ofthroughput of a CPU, as compared with Embodiment 1.

Note that the present embodiment never limits the scope of the presentinvention, and can be varied within the scope of the present invention.For example, the present embodiment can be arranged as follows.

An AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducing apparatus) ofthe present invention for controlling, in accordance with a manipulationinput, reproduction of content data read out from a content recordingmedium, the AV data reproducing apparatus may include: (i) audioinformation reading means for reading out audio information; (ii) audioinformation correlation information reading means for reading out, fromthe content recording medium, audio information correlation informationfor correlating the manipulation input with the audio information; and(iii) audio information reproducing means for reproducing the audioinformation in response to the manipulation input. This makes itpossible that audio reproduction unique to the content is carried out inresponse to the manipulation input. Further, the content data and theaudio information can be supplied from the same content recordingmedium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

Further, a flag indicative of whether or not the sound of the contentdata is reproduced can be recorded in the audio information correlationinformation. This makes it possible that the sound of the content datais muted as required while the audio information is reproduced. Thissupports the reproduction of the audio information.

Further, the AV data reproducing apparatus (information reproducingapparatus) of the present invention may be arranged such that: theadditional function is a function of outputting the audio information,and the additional function executing means serves as the audioinformation reproducing means. Further, the AV data reproducingapparatus (information reproducing apparatus) of the present inventionmay be arranged such that: the additional function information includesthe flag indicative of whether or not the sound of the content data ismuted during the reproduction of the audio information.

Further, Embodiment 1 explains the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 forexecuting the additional function program in response to the key inputwhile reproducing the AV data. Embodiment 2 explains the AV datareproducing apparatus 210 for displaying the icon in response to the keyinput while reproducing the AV data. Embodiment 3 explains the AV datareproducing apparatus 310 for outputting the sound in response to thekey input while reproducing the AV data. However, it is possible toarrange an AV data reproducing apparatus having a function obtained bycombining the functions of the AV data reproducing apparatuses 10, 210,and 310.

Finally, each block of the AV data reproducing apparatus 10, especiallythe control section 13 and the additional function program executingsection 15, may be constituted by a hardware logic, or may be realizedby a software with the use of a CPU as follows. (This is also true ofthe AV data reproducing apparatuses 210 and 310.)

That is, the AV data reproducing apparatus 10 includes: (i) a CPU(central processing unit) for executing an instruction of a controlprogram realizing each function; (ii) a ROM (read only memory) forstoring the program; (iii) a RAM (random access memory) for expandingthe program; (iv) a memory apparatus (recording medium) such as a memoryfor storing the program and various types of data; and the like.Therefore, the object of the present invention is achieved by: (i)providing, in the AV data reproducing apparatus 10, a recording mediumstoring a computer-readable program code (executable program,intermediate code program, a source program) of the program forcontrolling the AV data reproducing apparatus 10, and (ii) causing acomputer (or CPU, MPU (micro processing unit)) to read out and executethe program code stored in the storage medium. The control program issoftware for realizing the function.

Examples of the recording medium are: tapes such as a magnetic tape anda cassette tape; magnetic disks such as a floppy® disk and a hard disk;optical disks such as a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory), amagnetic optical disk (MO), a mini disk (MD), a digital video disk(DVD), and a CD-R (CD-Rewritable); and the like. Further, the recordingmedium may be: a card such as an IC card (including a memory card) andan optical card; or a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, an EPROM(electrically programmable read only memory), an EEPROM (electricallyerasable programmable read only memory), or a flash ROM.

Further, the program code may be supplied to the AV data reproducingapparatus 10 via a communication network to which the AV datareproducing apparatus 10 is connectable. The communication network isnot particularly limited. Specific examples thereof are: the Internet,intranet, extranet, LAN (local area network), ISDN (integrated servicesdigital network), VAN (value added network), CATV (cable TV)communication network, virtual private network, telephone network,mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and thelike. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communicationnetwork is not particularly limited. Specific examples thereof are: (i)a wired line using the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers) 1394, a USB (universal serial bus), a power-linecommunication, a cable TV line, a telephone line, a ADSL line, or thelike; or (ii) a wireless line using IrDA, infrared rays used for aremote controller, Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11, HDR (High Data Rate), amobile phone network, a satellite connection, a terrestrial digitalnetwork, or the like. Note that the present invention can be realized byeither a carrier wave or a data signal row, each of which represents theaforesaid program code and each of which is electrically transmitted.

For example, the present invention may be realized by an AV datareproducing program including the steps of: (a) receiving manipulationcausing a computer to carry out an operation; and (b) controlling an AVdata reproducing function intrinsic to the manipulation. In this case,the AV data reproducing program may be stored in a recording medium.Further, the AV data reproducing program may include the additionalfunction program 23 which is stored in the recording medium 20, andwhich is executed in response to the manipulation. Further, the AV datareproducing program may include the correlation information 22indicating the correlation between the manipulation and the additionalfunction program 23 to be executed in response to the manipulation.

Example

The following fully explains a case where the aforementioned AV datareproducing apparatus 10 is applied to a DVD player, with reference toFIG. 18 through FIG. 26. This is one example of the present invention.

Each of FIG. 19 through FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating adata structure of data stored in a DVD-ROM 120, which is a diskrecording medium to be reproduced by a DVD player 110 according to thepresent example. Specifically, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagramillustrating the data structure of the data stored in the DVD-ROM 120.FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of aVTSTT_VOBS (Video Object Set for Titles in, a VTS) 810 shown in FIG. 19.FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of anNV_PCK (Navigation pack) 904. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagramillustrating respective data structures of a private data region 1008and PCI 1010, each of which is shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is anexplanatory diagram illustrating one example of a key correlation table1101 stored in the private data region 1008 shown in FIG. 22.

See FIG. 19. Stored in the DVD-ROM 120 are: one VMG (Video Manager) 801and a plurality of VTSs (Video Title Sets) 803. Stored in the VMG 801 ismanagement information for managing respective recording positions ofthe VTSs 803. In response to insertion of the DVD-ROM 120, the DVDplayer 110 reads out the VMG 801 so as to display the title of AV datastored in the DVD-ROM 120.

Stored in each of the VTSs 803 are the AV data and reproduction controlinformation of the AV data. The VTS 803 is made up of (i) VTSI (VideoTitle Set Information) 808, (ii) a VTSM_VOBS (Video Object Set for VideoTitle Set Menu) 809, (iii) the VTSTT_VOBS 810, and (iv) VTSI_BUP 811serving as backup of the VTSI. Stored in the VTSI 808 is information forreproducing the VTSM_VOBS 809 and the VTSTT_VOBS 810. Stored in theVTSM_VOBS 809 is AV data for displaying the title menu. Stored in theVTSTT_VOBS 810 is the foregoing AV data.

Further, a program recording region 802 storing the aforementionedadditional function programs is so allocated (provided) as to comebefore the VTS 803 in the order (readout order) in which the DVD player110 reads the DVD-ROM 120. Accordingly, each of the additional functionprograms is read out prior to the readout of the AV data. The additionalfunction program thus allocated to come before the VTS 803 in thereadout order allows reduction of (i) frequencies of a seeking operationand (ii) a seeking distance. This makes it possible to shorten timerequired for a response to the user. In FIG. 19, the additional functionprograms stored in the program recording region 802 are: a CM.class 804,an Animation.1class 805, an Animation2.class 806, and anAnimation3.class 807.

Note that the program recording region 802 is allocated between the VMG801 and the VTS 803 in FIG. 19; however, the program recording region802 may be allocated in each of the VTSs 803, so that the presentinvention is not limited to the above example. For example, a programshared by the VTSs 803 is stored in the VMG 801, and programs usedrespectively for the VTSs are stored in the VTSs 803 individually.

Next, see FIG. 20. The VTSTT_VOBS 810 is made up of a plurality of VOBs(Video Objects) 901. Specifically, the VTSTT_VOB 810 is divided into theVOBs 901 based on a continuous program stream as a unit. Each of theVOBs 901 is made up of a plurality of Cs (cells) 902, each of whichserves as an access unit. Each of the Cs 902 is made up of a pluralityof VOBUs (Video Object Units) 903, each of which serves as a videodecode unit. Each of the VOBUs 903 is made up of one NV_PCK 904, aplurality of A_PCKs (Audio packs) 905, and a plurality of V_PCKs (Videopacks) 906. Each of the A_PCKs 905 stores audio data of the AV data, andeach of V_PCKs 906 stores image data of the AV data.

Next, see FIG. 21. The NV_PCK 904 is made up of a packet header 1001, asystem header 1002, a PCI_PKT (PCI packets) 1003, and a DSI_PKT (DSIpacket) 1004. The PCI_PKT 1003 stores PCI (Presentation ControlInformation) 1010 for carrying out reproduction control of the AV data.Note that the other data is irrelevant to the present invention, so thatexplanation thereof is omitted here.

Next, see FIG. 22. The PCI 1010 is made up of PCI_GI 1102, NSML_AGLI1103, HLI 1104, and RECI 1105. The PCI_GI 1102 is made up ofVOBU_UOP_CTL 1108, VOBU_S_PTM 1109, and VOBU_E_PTM 1110. TheVOBU_UOP_CTL 1108 is information indicative of whether or not themanipulation is approved. The VOBU_UOP_PTM 1109 is indicative of thestart time of AV data in which the VOBU_UOP_CTL 1108 is valid. TheVOBU_E_PTM 1110 is the end time of the AV data validated by theVOBU_UOP_CTL 1108. Note that the other data are irrelevant to thepresent invention, so that explanation thereof is omitted here.

Further, the private data region 1008 stores the key correlation table1101. Note that any data can be freely recorded in the private dataregion 1008. Note also that the recording location of the keycorrelation table 1101 is not limited to the private data region 1008.

Next, see FIG. 23. The key correlation table 1101 at least includes (i)information indicating the key manipulation input, and (ii) informationindicating the name of a program to be executed in response to thespecified key manipulation input. Note that the key correlation table1101 corresponds to information obtained by excluding the scenespecifying information 22 a and the key control information 22 b fromthe correlation information 22. In other words, the key correlationtable 1101 corresponds to information having only the additionalfunction information 22 c. See FIG. 2.

The following explains a system structure of the DVD player 110, withreference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a function block diagram schematicallyillustrating the structure of the DVD player 110.

Here, the DVD player 110 includes: a key input section 111, a memory112, a control section 113, a drive controller 114, an additionalfunction program executing section 115, an AV data reproducing section116, and an output section 117, which respectively correspond to the keyinput section 11, the memory 12, the control section 13, the readingsection 14, the additional function program executing section 15, the AVdata reproducing section 16, and the output section 17 of the AV datareproducing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. For this reason, the followingdescription only deals with the difference therebetween, for ease ofexplanation.

The control section 113 is made up of a key comparison judgment section131 and a data control section 132. Note that the key comparisonjudgment section 131 and the data control section 132 correspond to oneexample of a specific structure of the main function control section 31shown in FIG. 1.

The key comparison judgment section 131 compares (i) instructioninformation received by the key input section 111, with (ii) the keycomparison table 1101 stored in the memory 112. Thereafter, the keycomparison judgment section 131 sends information indicative of the keycomparison judgment result.

The data control section 132 receives, from the key comparison judgmentsection 131, the information indicative of the key comparison judgmentresult. In accordance with the information indicative of the keycomparison judgment result, the data control section 132 carries out thefollowing operations (1) through (3): (1) control is carried out suchthat the additional function program executing section 115 executes theadditional function program, in cases where the additional functionprogram needs to be executed; (2) key input information is sent to anavigation manager 710; and (3) information for controlling the AV datais sent to a presentation engine 711 in cases where the AV data controlneeds to be carried out.

The additional function program executing section 115 receives a programexecution instruction from the data controlling section 132, andexecutes the additional function program stored in the memory 112, andsends an execution result to the output section 117.

The AV data reproducing section 116 receives, from the data controlsection 132, an instruction of reproducing the VMG 801 and the VTS 803,each of which is stored in the DVD-ROM 120. Upon the reception, the AVdata reproducing section 116 reproduces the VMG 801 read out from theDVD-ROM 120 by the drive controller 114, and converts the VTS 803 intodata compliant with an AV output format. Then, the data thus convertedis sent to the output section 117. The AV data reproducing section 116includes the navigation manger 161 and the presentation engine 162.

The navigation manager 161 receives, from the data control section 132,the VMG 801 serving as the management information of the AV data. Thenavigation manager 161 interprets (reads) the VMG 801 thus received, andsends, to the presentation engine 162, reproduction control informationof the VTS 803 containing the AV data to be reproduced.

From the navigation manager 161, the presentation engine 162 receivesthe reproduction control information of the VTS 803 containing the AVdata to be reproduced. In accordance with the reproduction controlinformation, the presentation engine 162 carries out decoding andreproduction of the AV data contained in the VTS 803. Thereafter, thepresentation engine 162 sends the AV data to the output section 117.

The output section 117 overlays (i) the output results which arerespectively supplied from the additional function program executingsection 115 and the navigation manager 161 and which are made inresponse to the key input, with (ii) the data which is sent from thepresentation engine 162 and which is in compliant with the AV outputformat. Thereafter, the data thus overlaid is sent to an external AVoutput apparatus connected to the DVD player 110.

The following explains control carried out while the DVD player 110reproduces the AV data stored in the DVD-ROM, with reference to FIG. 25.FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the control carried out while theDVD player 110 carries out the reproduction.

Carried out before the start of the reproduction is an initializingprocess described later (S110). After the initializing process, thetitle menu of the AV data stored in the DVD-ROM 120 is displayed. Notethat a menu display process is irrelevant to the nature of the presentinvention, so that explanation thereof is omitted here.

Next, the data control section 132 waits until the user selects AV datato be reproduced (NO in Step S121).

When the user uses the key input section 111 to select the AV data to bereproduced (YES in S121), the data control section 132 searches for theVTS 803 containing the AV data thus selected, and instructs the drivecontroller 114 to read out the VTS 803. The drive controller 114 sends,to the presentation engine 162, the VTSTT_VOB of the VTS 803 thus readout. The presentation engine 162 carries out decoding of the VTSTT_VOBso as to extract the information contained in the NV_PCK 904 (S122).

In cases where the key correlation table 1101 is stored in the NV_PCK904 (YES in S123), the data control section 132 causes the memory 112 tostore the correlation table 1101 (S124). On the other hand, in caseswhere no key correlation table 1101 is stored in the NV_PCK 904 (NO inS123), the sequence goes to Step S125.

Next, the navigation manager 161 sends, to the presentation engine 162,an instruction of decoding the VTS 803. The presentation engine 162decodes the A_PCK 905 and the V_PCK 906 in this order, and sends them tothe output section 117 (S125). The A_PCK 905 is the audio data, and theV_PCK 906 is the image data.

In cases where the key input section 111 receives no key manipulationinput during the reproduction of the AV data (NO in S126), thenavigation manager 161 judges whether or not the reproduction of theselected AV data is terminated. In other words, the navigation manager161 judges whether or not the reproduction of the VTS 803 correspondingto the selected AV data is terminated (S127). In cases where thereproduction of the selected AV data is terminated (YES in S127), thenavigation manager 161 waits for manipulation of selecting AV data to bereproduced next.

On the other hand, in cases where the key input section 111 receives thekey manipulation input (YES in S126), the navigation manager 161 judgeswhether or not the key correlation table 1101 is stored in the memory112 (S128). Carried out in cases where the key correlation table 1101 isstored in the memory 112 (YES in S128) is a later-described process of(i) adding a function different from the function corresponding to thekey input, and/or (ii) replacing, with a different function, thefunction corresponding to the key input (S150). On the other hand, incases where the key correlation table 1101 is not stored in the memory112 (NO in S128), the sequence goes to Step S129.

Next, the navigation manager 161 judges whether or not the currentlyreproduced scene approves (permits) the operation intrinsicallycorresponding to the key input (S129). The judgment is carried out byjudging whether or not the manipulation done by the user is prohibitedby the VOBU_UOP_CTL 1108. In cases where the operation intrinsicallycorresponding to the key input is approved (YES in S129), the navigationmanager 161 carries out control over the AV data reproduction carriedout by the presentation engine 162 (S130). For example, when the usercarries out the manipulation input of suspending reproduction of a scenewhich approves the manipulation of the pause key, the navigation manager161 carries out control such that the presentation engine 162 suspendsthe decoding and the reproduction of the A_PCK 905 and the V_PCK 906. Onthe other hand, in cases where the operation intrinsically correspondingto the key input is not approved (NO in S129), the navigation manager161 waits for a key manipulation input.

The following explains the initializing process (S110 in FIG. 25)carried out before the DVD player 110 reproduces the AV data, withreference to FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating theinitializing process of the DVD player 110.

When the reproduction of the AV data is triggered, the data controlsection 132 uses the drive controller 114 to access the DVD-ROM 120(S111). The data control section 132 reads out the VMG 801 from theDVD-ROM 120, and sends the VMG 801 to the navigation manager 161 of theAV data reproducing section 116 (S112).

Next, the navigation manager 161 interprets (reads) the VMG 801 receivedfrom the data control section 132, and sends, to the output section 117,the title menu of the AV data stored in the DVD-ROM 120 (S113).

Next, the data control section 132 checks whether or not the programrecording region 802 of the DVD-ROM 120 stores the data of theadditional function programs (S114). In cases where the data of theadditional function programs is stored in the program recording region802 (YES in S114), each of the additional function programs is read outand is caused to be stored in the memory 112 (S115). Then, theinitializing process is terminated. In FIG. 23, the program recordingregion 802 stores the CM.class 804, the Animation.1class 805, theAnimation2.class 806, and the Animation3.class 807, each of which servesas the data of the additional function program. Therefore, the memory112 stores these four additional function programs.

On the other hand, in cases where the program recording region 802stores no data of the additional function programs (NO in S114), theinitializing process is terminated.

Note that, in the above example, the display of the title menu iscarried out (S113) after the readout (S112) of the VMG 801. Note alsothat, the judgment (S114) whether or not the program recording region802 stores the additional function programs may be carried out prior tothe readout (S112) of the VMG 801.

The following explains the process of (i) adding the function differentfrom the function corresponding to the key input, and/or (ii) replacing,with the different function, the function corresponding to the keyinput. Hereinafter, the process is referred to as “functionadding/replacing process”. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating thefunction adding/replacing process.

The DVD player 110 uses each of the additional function programs. Thismakes it possible to execute (i) the intrinsic function (main function)corresponding to the key input, and (ii) another function.Alternatively, this makes it possible to execute another functioninstead of the intrinsic function (main function).

Firstly in the function adding/replacing process, the key comparisonjudgment section 131 searches, in the key correlation table stored inthe memory 112, for a key manipulation input corresponding to the keymanipulation input (S151). In cases where the additional functionprogram needs to be executed (YES in S152), the program is executed(S153). Then, the function adding/replacing process is terminated.

For example, the key correlation table 1101 shown in FIG. 23 is so setthat the additional function program CM.class 804 is executed inresponse to the manipulation input of the pause key. In cases where theadditional function program CM.class 804 is such an additional functionprogram that reproduces commercials (advertisements) at random, thecommercials are reproduced at random in response to the manipulationinput of the pause key. Further, the key correlation table 1101 is soset that the additional function program Animation1.class 805 isexecuted in response to the manipulation input of the fast-forward key.

Note that the additional function programs to be executed may be storedin the DVD-ROM 120 as such, or may be stored in the DVD player 110, ormay be stored in another recording medium. Further, a combinationthereof may be executed.

Meanwhile, in cases where the additional function program does not needto be executed (NO in S152), the process is terminated.

An information reproducing apparatus of the present invention forcontrolling, in accordance with a manipulation input, reproduction ofcontent data read out from a content recording medium, the informationreproducing apparatus may include: (a) additional function informationreading means for reading out, from the content recording medium,additional function information indicating an additional functioncorrelated with the manipulation input; and (b) additional functionexecuting means for executing the additional function in response to themanipulation input.

A method of the present invention for controlling, in accordance with amanipulation input, reproduction of content data read out from a contentrecording medium, the method may include the steps of: (a) reading out,from the content recording medium, additional function informationindicating an additional function correlated with the manipulationinput; and (b) executing the additional function in response to themanipulation input.

The structure and the method allow the following effect. That is, theadditional function information indicating the additional functioncorrelated with the manipulation input is read out from the contentrecording medium, so that the additional function can be carried out inresponse to the manipulation input specified by the additional functioninformation.

This makes it possible to execute the function different from thefunction intrinsically corresponding to the manipulation input. Further,the additional function information for specifying the additionalfunction can be supplied together with the content data. Note that theinformation indicating the additional function may be stored in advancein the information reproducing apparatus, or may be read out by theinformation reproducing apparatus from either another recording mediumor an external apparatus as required. A specific example of theinformation indicating the additional function is an additional functionprogram.

This makes it possible that the control unique to the content isflexibly carried out in response to the manipulation input. Further, thecontent data and the additional function information can be suppliedfrom the same content recording medium, so that data handling and mediumhandling are easy.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention mayfurther include: additional function program reading means for readingout, from the content recording medium, an additional function programwhich indicates the additional function and which is stored in thecontent recording medium together with the content data.

The structure above makes it possible that an arbitrary process iscarried out in response to the manipulation input as the additionalfunction correlated with the manipulation input by the additionalfunction information. Further, the additional function program forindicating the additional function, the content data, and the additionalfunction information can be supplied from the same content recordingmedium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention mayfurther include: image information reading means for reading out, fromthe content recording medium, image information which indicates theadditional function and which is stored in the content recording mediumtogether with the content data; wherein: the additional functionexecuting means displays the image information in response to themanipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible that: in response to themanipulation input, the display of the image information is carried outas the additional function correlated with the manipulation input by theadditional function information. Further, the image information forindicating the additional function, the content data and the additionalfunction information can be supplied from the same content recordingmedium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

Further, the information reproducing apparatus of the present inventionmay further include: text information reading means for reading out,from the content recording medium, text information which indicates theadditional function and which is stored in the content recording mediumtogether with the content data; wherein: the additional functionexecuting means displays the text information in response to themanipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible that: in response to themanipulation input, the display of the text information is carried outas the additional function correlated with the manipulation input by theadditional function information. Further, the audio information forindicating the additional function, the content data, and the additionalfunction information can be supplied from the same content recordingmedium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention mayfurther include: audio information reading means for reading out, fromthe content recording medium, audio information which indicates theadditional function and which is stored in the content recording mediumtogether with the content data; wherein: the additional functionexecuting means reproduces the audio information in response to themanipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible that: in response to themanipulation input, the output of the audio information is carried outas the additional function correlated with the manipulation input by theadditional function information. Further, the content data and theadditional function information can be supplied from the same contentrecording medium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that the additional function information includes a flagindicating whether or not sound of the content data is muted while theaudio information is reproduced.

The structure above makes it possible to select whether (i) the sound ofthe AV data and the audio information of the additional function areoutputted simultaneously, or (ii) only the audio information of theadditional function is outputted.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that the additional function information is so set as tocorrespond to each scene of the content data.

The structure makes it possible that the additional function can beexecuted in each scene. Accordingly, the same manipulation input done indifferent scenes can cause execution of different additional functions.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention mayfurther include: (i) main function control information reading means forreading out, from the content recording medium, main function controlinformation indicating whether or not execution of a main function isapproved, which main function is a function intrinsically correspondingto the manipulation input; and (ii) main function control means forcontrolling, in accordance with the main function control information,the execution of the main function, which execution is carried out inresponse to the manipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible to control, in accordance with themain function control information, whether or not the execution of themain function corresponding to the manipulation input is approved. Thismakes it possible not only (i) to control whether or not the functionintrinsically corresponding to the manipulation input is to be executed,but also (ii) to execute the function different from the intrinsicfunction as the additional function. Further, the main function controlinformation and the content data can be supplied together.

This makes it possible that the control unique to the content isflexibly carried out in response to the manipulation input. Further, thecontent data, the additional function information, and the main functioncontrol information can be supplied from the same content recordingmedium, so that data handling and medium handling are easy.

Further, the information reproducing apparatus of the present inventionmay be arranged such that the main function control information is soset as to correspond to each scene of the content data.

The structure above makes it possible that the control over the functionintrinsically corresponding to the manipulation input is carried out ineach scene. Accordingly, the same manipulation input done in differentscenes can cause execution of different controls.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that a function for notifying information concerningdisapproval of execution of the main function is assigned, as anadditional function, to the manipulation input corresponding to the mainfunction whose execution is disapproved by the main function controlinformation.

The information reproducing apparatus may be arranged such that afunction for notifying information representing that the manipulationinput is prohibited is assigned, as an additional function, to themanipulation input corresponding to the main function whose execution isdisapproved by the main function control information.

The structure above makes it possible that: instead of the indicationusing the mere warning sound and/or the warning display, the indicationusing the way suitable for the currently reproduced content data iscarried out in response to the manipulation input which is prohibited inthe scene.

Accordingly, the user's unpleasant feeling is reduced even when the userreceives the warning made in response to the manipulation done in thescene prohibiting the manipulation. This is because the warning does notuses the mere warning sound and warning display.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that a function for notifying information representing anapproved manipulation input is assigned, as an additional function, tothe manipulation input corresponding to the main function whoseexecution is disapproved by the main function control information.

The structure above makes it possible to indicate, in response to theinoperable manipulation input, the information representing the operablemanipulation input. With this, the operable manipulation input can benotified to even a child or the like.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that: the manipulation input corresponds to either (i)manipulation of suspending the reproduction of the content data or (ii)manipulation of halting the reproduction of the content data, and afunction for notifying information different from the content data thatis being reproduced is assigned, as an additional function, to themanipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible that the information differentfrom the content data is indicated in response to the pausingmanipulation or the halting manipulation. A specific example of suchinformation is advertisement (commercial; CM).

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that: the manipulation input corresponds to manipulationof changing either (i) a reproduction direction of the content data or(ii) reproduction speed of the content data, and a function fornotifying information different from the content data that is beingreproduced is assigned, as an additional function, to the manipulationinput.

The structure above makes it possible that the information differentfrom the content data is displayed in response to the manipulation ofchanging either the reproduction direction or the reproduction speed. Aspecific example of such information is animation corresponding toeither the reproduction direction or the reproduction speed. With this,the user can visually enjoy even when carrying out the manipulation ofcontrolling the reproduction.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that: the manipulation input corresponds to manipulationof carrying out fast-forward of the content data, and a function fornotifying information different from the content data that is beingreproduced is assigned, as an additional function, to the manipulationinput.

The structure above makes it possible that the information differentfrom the content data is displayed in response to the fast-forwardingmanipulation. A specific example of such information is animationindicating a reproduction position. With this, the user can visuallyenjoy even when carrying out the manipulation of controlling thereproduction.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that: the manipulation input corresponds to manipulationof carrying out fast-forwarding of the content data, and a function for(i) carrying out the fast-forwarding of the content data until apredetermined position and (ii) reproducing the content data at normalspeed from the predetermined position is assigned, as an additionalfunction, to the manipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible to set the position at which thereproduction speed changed to fast-forwarding speed in response to thefast-forwarding manipulation is changed again to the normal reproductionspeed. For example, in cases where the content data have a scene to beviewed surely, the content preparer sets the start position of the sceneas the predetermined position in advance. With this, even when thefast-forwarding is carried out in response to the fast-forwardingmanipulation, the fast-forwarding continues until the scene comes. Inthe scene, the reproduction speed is caused to be changed to the normalreproduction speed, with the result that the user is caused to view thescene.

The information reproducing apparatus may be arranged such that afunction different from the function intrinsically corresponding to themanipulation input is assigned, as an additional function, to themanipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible that the function different fromthe function intrinsically corresponding to the manipulation input isexecuted in response to the manipulation carried out with respect to theinformation reproducing apparatus.

The information reproducing apparatus may be arranged such that: themanipulation input corresponds to reproduction manipulation carried outduring the reproduction of the content data, and a function differentfrom a reproduction function is assigned, as an additional function, tothe manipulation input.

The structure above makes it possible that the function different fromthe function for reproducing the content data is executed in response tothe reproduction manipulation carried out during the reproduction of thecontent data. For example, by pressing such a reproduction key whenviewing the movie having a subtitle, characters or letters in thesubtitle become large and/or are turned into Hiragana characters (ordifferent expression, or different translation). This is good for a userwho feels that characters or letters in the subtitle are too complicatedto be legible.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that: the additional function is a function for notifyingthe information such that the information is overlaid with the contentdata that is being reproduced.

The structure above makes it possible that the information to beindicated by way of the additional function is indicated together withthe content data that is being reproduced.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention may bearranged such that: the content recording medium stores data having adata structure in which the content data is sectioned based on a unittime and in which the additional function information is able to berecorded based on the unit time.

The structure above makes it possible that the content data and theadditional function information are so stored as to correspond to eachother. Further, no scene specifying information for specifying a sceneneeds to be prepared additionally.

Note that, in the DVD standard, the content data is sectioned based onthe unit time, and the additional function information can be recordedbased on the unit time, and the main function control information can berecorded based on the unit time. Therefore, in cases where the contentdata is stored in compliance with the DVD standard, the content data,the main function control information, and the additional functioninformation can be so stored as to correspond to one another. Of course,no scene specifying information for specifying a scene needs to beprepared additionally. For this reason, the information reproducingapparatus is suitable for the content recording medium in which thecontent data is stored in compliance with the DVD standard.

A content recording medium of the present invention may store thecontent data and the additional function information such that thecontent data and the additional function information is able to besupplied to the information reproducing apparatus.

The structure above makes it possible to supply the content datatogether with the additional function information for carrying outcontrol unique to the content in response to the manipulation input.Note that it is preferable that the additional function programspecified by the additional function information be stored in thecontent recording medium storing the content data and the additionalfunction information.

A control program of the present invention is a program for causing acomputer to serve as each means of the information reproducingapparatus.

The structure above makes it possible to realize, on the computer, themeans of the information reproducing apparatus. Accordingly, theinformation reproducing apparatus is realized.

A computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is acomputer-readable recording medium storing the control program forrealizing the means on the computer so as to operate the informationreproducing apparatus.

The structure above makes it possible that the information reproducingapparatus can be realized on the computer by using the control programread out from the recording medium.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same waymay be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

The embodiments and concrete examples of implementation discussed in theforegoing detailed explanation serve solely to illustrate the technicaldetails of the present invention, which should not be narrowlyinterpreted within the limits of such embodiments and concrete examples,but rather may be applied in many variations within the spirit of thepresent invention, provided such variations do not exceed the scope ofthe patent claims set forth below.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The information reproducing apparatus (AV data reproducing apparatus)according to the present invention is capable of executing a functiondifferent from the function intrinsically corresponding to amanipulation input. This makes it possible to flexibly carry out controlunique to a content in response to the manipulation input. For thisreason, the present invention is widely applicable to a player forreproducing AV data from a recording medium such as a DVD medium or thelike.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An AV data reproducing apparatus,comprising: an AV data reproducing section configured to reproduce AVdata stored in a recording medium; a program executing sectionconfigured to execute a program stored in the recording medium; and aninput section configured to acquire a manipulation input, to which afunction of the AV data reproducing section is assigned, wherein therecording medium stores key control information indicating whetherexecution of a function assigned to the manipulation input is approvedor not and the program in such a manner that the key control informationand the program are correlated with each other, and said AV datareproducing apparatus further comprises: a control section configuredto, in a case where the key control information stored in the recordingmedium indicates that execution of a function assigned to themanipulation input is not approved, (i) not execute the functionassigned to the manipulation input and (ii) instruct the programexecuting section to execute only the program stored in the recordingmedium in such a manner as to be correlated with the key controlinformation.
 2. A recording medium, used for an AV reproducing apparatusas set forth in claim 1, wherein the recording medium stores the AVdata, the program and correlation information in which the key controlinformation is correlated with the program, in order to allow the AVreproducing apparatus to carry out reproduction.
 3. A method forcontrolling an AV data reproducing apparatus, the AV data reproducingapparatus including: an AV data reproducing section configured toreproduce AV data stored in a recording medium; a program executingsection configured to execute a program stored in the recording medium;and an input section configured to acquire a manipulation input, towhich a function of the AV data reproducing section is assigned, whereinthe recording medium stores key control information indicating whetherexecution of a function assigned to the manipulation input is approvedor not and the program in such a manner that the key control informationand the program are correlated with each other, and said methodcomprises the step of, in a case where the key control informationstored in the recording medium indicates that execution of a functionassigned to the manipulation input is not approved, (i) not executingthe function assigned to the manipulation input and (ii) instructing theprogram executing section to execute only the program stored in therecording medium in such a manner as to be correlated with the keycontrol information.